SVT guides: Joe St.Onge, Patrick Graham and Chris Marshall went for a tour out in the Smoky Mountains yesterday to check the early season conditions. Despite a relatively thin snow pack, good turning conditions were found and a beautiful tour was had. Careful route finding and conservative choices are key to avoid the many thin snow hazards that are present right now. With that in mind, there is some fun skiing to be had right now!
Opening Day :: Galena Pass
Joe, Francie, and friends got their first powder turns of the upcoming season this past Sunday, November 25th! Our area has been blessed with a solid base thus far. Not to jinx what is to come, but, this weekend’s storm is suppose pack a punch. If it materializes, winter will not only be on, it’ll fully be on! The month of December can be hit or miss, looks like this year’s gonna be a hit! Give us a call if you want to reserve one of our six huts!
When any skier first catches sight of the Devil’s Bedstead (11,865′) when driving over Trail Creek Pass, their car stops and jaw drops simultaneously. It is one of Idaho’s classic ski mountaineering objectives. Joe and Craig successfully climbed and skied this gem yesterday. Thin clouds kept the sun’s radiant effect at bay throughout most of the climb which made for “interesting” skinning over hard snow, into breakable crust at mid elevation, and finishing in sastrugi. Luckily the sun penetrated the haze by the time they started their descent and softened the breakable to a manageable condition. Back at the trailhead, cold banquet beers were waiting in the cooler to finish off a perfect spring ski!
May Skiing!
It’s May in Idaho, which means long days and a choice between riding buffed out single track on your bike, climbing on a sunny crag or skiing powder and corn up high. For some there is no choice at all. They either do them all or hang back in hammock. Enjoy the choice, and remember why we live in such an awesome place! The following shots are of Joe St.Onge and Patrick Graham skiing amazing snow yesterday. Drop us a line if this looks like fun to you….